Chapman eyes AG’s 1st Powerade title since 2007
Jonathan Guth | Herald-Standard
CANONSBURG — Albert Gallatin’s Jenna Chapman waited until 8:30 at night to wrestle 13 seconds, but a spot in the semifinals at the Powerade Tournament was well worth it.
Chapman, the No. 3 seed in the 235-pound weight class, received a bye into the quarterfinals before earning a fall on Saturday night at Canon-McMillan High School to advance to Sunday morning’s semifinals.
“I knew I had a bye into the quarterfinals, so I just took the time to hang out with some friends and relax,” Chapman said. “When I knew it was my time to wrestle, I got a warmup in and just went for it. I saw an opening in the match and went for it. You can’t wait around in wrestling.”
In advancing to the semifinals, Chapman has assured herself no lower than sixth on the podium, but the sophomore wants the gold. Chapman was fifth at Powerade last season.
“I am definitely going for the gold, but all my matches will be a battle,” Chapman said. “I can’t wait to get going tomorrow.”
Chapman faces Southmoreland’s Zoey Murphy in the semifinals. Murphy, the No. 2 seed, also received a bye into the quarterfinals before winning her bout by technical fall, 19-2, in 4:27.
Sunday’s bout will be the rubber match between the two, as Murphy pinned Chapman last year at Powerade, but Chapman got the better of the Lady Scottie this season with a fall in a dual meet.
Chapman doesn’t want to take anything for granted, but she dedicated herself this offseason to wrestling, and believes she is ready to take the next step against the best in the country.
“Making the national team last year really helped me to improve my workouts and I practice seven days a week,” Chapman said. “Maybe after a tournament I’ll take a little break, but I am always back at it. You have to go full-time with wrestling if you want to do well in this sport.”
Chapman seeks Albert Gallatin’s first Powerade title in girls competition, and the first for the school since Lance Bryson won Powerade gold in 2007. Tim Wallace was second in 2017 at 182.
Mike Rich won the first Powerade title for the Colonials at heavyweight in 1973.
“It would be awesome to win and represent our school because I wasn’t even born the last time our school had a Powerade champion,” Chapman said. “Coach (Duane) Dupont and my dad (Jon Chapman) are in my corner, and I couldn’t ask for two better people to be there for me.”
Connellsville has four still in contention for a medal in Julieth Flores (100), Jayden Wiltrout (148), Olivia Shultz (155) and Ravyn Cameron-Botti (190).
The Lady Scotties’ Rylee Mains lost in the quarterfinals at 100, but battled back to win her bout in the fifth round of consolations by decision, 7-4, and keep her hopes for a spot on the podium alive.